The Response Of Thinkers In The Malay World Towards Modernity Through The Discourse Of Islamic Science

(Respons Pemikir Dunia Melayu terhadap Modeniti melalui Wacana Sains Islam)

Abstract

This article will examine the relationship between Islam, science and modernity to assess the cultural significance of science in Malaysia and Indonesia, in which the majority of the population are Muslims. The Islamic responses in facing the challenges of modernity are gauged from the thought of selected local and international Muslim scholars. This overview explains how Islamic thinkers attempt to respond to the challenges posed by modernity through the Islamization of scientific discourse, or discourse on Islamic science by using arguments from history and philosophy. Their responses focus on the epistemological aspect in order to provide an assessment and understanding of the complexity that exists in the relationship between Islam, science and modernity. The responses of the Islamic thinkers is based on their more critical attitude towards the adoption of the Western concept of modernity.

Keywords: islamization of science, islamic science, modernity, selected Muslim thinker